Matt Ridley Quartet

Performers

Formed in 2012, The Matt Ridley Quartet have established themselves as ‘one of Britain’s very finest contemporary quartets’ (Jazz Views). The quartet’s music takes the listener on an absorbing journey, which effectively marries the exhilaration of jazz improvisation with intricately sculpted arrangements.

While deeply rooted in the Jazz tradition, Ridley eschews the traditional head/solos/head approach to composition, preferring instead to create a unique sound-world from each initial glint of inspiration. At the heart of each composition is a strong, memorable melodic theme, the realisation of which draws on any number of influences to bring fullest expression. Classical, groove based styles and ‘world’ music can all be distinguished, while the ferocious improvisational skills of each member make for an absorbing and entertaining listening experience.

The 2013 debut trio release Thymos garnered extensive praise from critics and audiences alike; a substantial statement of compositional and improvisational chutzpah, the music draws on the many influences of Ridley’s extensive performing career and features numerous guests, notably saxophonist Jason Yarde who joined the trio for the launch tour of Thymos, a collaboration which generated a whole new batch of compositions and culminated in their second studio album entitled Mettā.

‘One of Britain’s very finest contemporary quartets… the Matt Ridley Quartet is highly creative and exciting, working in a genre somewhere between free form and advanced lyricism and containing four talented musicians who have developed an almost telepathic musical understanding.’ (Jazz Views)

“A very organic and at times crystalline sounding quartet.” ★★★★
(The Scotsman)

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